Lois Ruth

I haven't been on here for a long time. Fun reading the newer posts!

I had my surgery 2 years ago (Wed.). I have lost 125 pounds so far. Still going (I want to lose about 50 more) but have been stalled for several months now.

After being fine with the adjustment for a year I went to get it loosened because I was having trouble getting things down, was burping, gurgling and waking up choking on my own saliva at night which are all classic signs of it being too tight. I got 2/3cc taken out and those symptoms have diappeared but I think I have to go back and get a tiny bit put back in because I'm eating a little too much now. Not gaining, but not losing either. So it's a real juggling game. Be patient with the whole process and good luck to everyone

Thank you for this thread!! Sooo informative and answered a lot of my questions! Wendall you look great! I applaud you!

I have been alittle concerned because I have had 2 fills so far (banded on March 23, 2009) and still don't feel much restriction. I am losing weight slowly (have lost 30 pounds since surgery) but it is only because I am watching what I eat and how much I eat, just like I would on any diet, and not because I feel full or restricted. I need that extra incentive! I am wondering how many fills it will take until I get to that point. I am somewhat encouraged by what I read here and realize that it is not unusual, so I will keep on keeping on! I see the doctor in another 2 weeks so maybe I will get another fill at that time. Thanks again.

OMG, that's so funny!! LOL Some people just don't have a clue. LOL Thanks for the laugh. I was at the nail salon today too! Having my nails done though. I do need to go back and get the brow waxing however.

Schwans makes a fat free, no sugar added (made with Splenda) ice cream. I scoop of that and some smashed fresh raspberries and I've got my favorite treat from Culvers - Raspberry Concrete Mixer! LOL I love it!

I am 4 weeks post op and I'm going for my first fill in a couple days. He didn't say anything about being on thin liquids afterwards. Is that the way it always is? I hope not. Going to a conference next week and hope I can eat at least SOMETHING normal! LOL

Awww, Kat - major hugs going out to you. What a trauma for you to go through and right before major life changing surgery. It will take time to heal your wounds both physically and mentally. You have been through soooo much. Do you have faith? I'm not going to get into faith here but I do know that when I lost my dear son and dear sister whithin 6 weeks of each other, my faith is what got me through it.

Anyway, don't rush anything - let yourself grieve and let yourself heal physically. It will all come out for good later. As someone else said, it will all be worth it and your mom would want you to enjoy your new life. God bless. Lois

I too have been only able to get in one 25oz bottle of Water usually. yesterday I got in about half of another one, but today not again. I have been wondering the same thing, so glad you asked! I too feel full if I drink anymore than I have been.

The dietician told me to try to get at least one can of the Protein shake down (11oz) each day and I've been doing that, but don't see that I want to do anymore than that because I feel full. I think everything is just going to be a gradual adjustment. My post op apt is Tuesday and I have a ton of questions! :thumbup:

HI all!

I too was banded on 3/23! I have not experienced what you have Kathy, but one evening I did start feeling a little nauseaus and figured I was probably drinking my Water too fast. Since then I've been ok, but soooo tired of these thin liquids. Today is the last day tomorrow I can have the full liquids (creamed Soups and Cream of Wheat Cereal, etc.) I never thought I'd be excited about Cream of Wheat Cereal, but I can't wait! LOL I especially just want to be able to CHEW something. You know? I haven't needed any pain meds yet today so I'm glad of that. I hope to go back to work tomorrow at least for part of the day (I'm the director of a library, so I can do that and it's not a job where I'm on my feet a lot).

I have a question though. Have any of you weighed yourself yet? What have you lost? I have lost nothing yet. I'm very discouraged because I am following everything to the letter. But I know I still have gas build up and am retaining water because he took my off of my one water pill so I wouldn't get dehydrated, but I still think I should have lost. I'm only eating about 200 calories! Geez! But I'm trying to be patient and know I shouldn't have even gotten on the scale (I haven't today yet and decided I won't until my post op apt. on Tuesday) Anyone else have this happen? Now I'M whining!

I'm on day three at home and was up half the night with the gas pain and a rumbling, tumbling tummy. I was finally able to "fart" (please excuse if that is rude) and that has helped some to relieve it. I will have my hubby go to the store and get some gas x too. I do walk a lot. Othewise I'm feeling good.

Ok, here's a real stupid question: What is PB?

Wow, Mis, you really did a lot on your first day home already!!

I was also banded Monday. Got there at 540 for 740 surgery. I too got the heparin shot and all the ivs and everything else all set up. Had to wait about a half hour after that was all done of my doc to get there. Once he was there it went fast. He came in to see me for a minutes and then I was off to OR. When I woke up couldn't believe it was all over already! LOL

They wheeled me to my room and gave me ice chips. my mouth was sooooo dry. They felt wonderful. I really wasn't hungry for anything else.

I had some pain but not a lot at first. After about 4 hours it kicked in though and I started hitting my little button to release the meds. That was very effective. I think I got up 2 times to walk. Didn't have a lot of gas pain but a little in the shoulder. Just mostly sore in the left shoulder.

Around midnight I think they cut off even the ice chips because of the upper GI thing that would be done in the morning. I think I got up once during the night to walk. Slept off an on.

After the GI thing I got my ice and Water back and they finally even brought Breakfast which consisted of chicken broth, lemon jellow, orange juice and a sf popsicle. I ate a few spoonsful of the broth and a little of the Jello but that's it. Just wasn't too hungry.

I walked some more (they were actually impressed with how much I was walking), and around 11am my hubby Warren came. The doctor had just released me and so after signing the papers and getting dressed and stuff we were able to leave about noon.

Warren dropped me off at home and went to get my prescriptions filled. I decided which chair would be most comfortable for me and parked myself there for the rest of the day, except for getting up to walk numerous times and doing a few other little things.

For the most part the whole thing went quite well and easy. I haven't been too hungry yet but I'm sure that's coming. Getting use to the way I have to take pills and Vitamin and stuff now is the main thing I'm trying to get used to.

HI Pezo,

I'm being banded on the 23rd too!

I think you made a wise choice. I can imagine your frustration though with having to reschedule the pre-op apt. Mine is tomorrow. I have a UTI at the moment (just got it over the weekend and am worried that my surgery will be canceled on account of it, but going to my GP tomorrow to get some fast anti-biotic. I get a lot of those. Hope that gets better after I lose weight too.

As I've posted before I think, I'm being banded on March 23 and oh so excited!! Any buddies would be appreciated! This is a great site, but so large, it's hard to keep up!

I am seeing the doctor for pre-op stuff tomorrow and I'm sure they will tell me how long I have to be on clear liquids before the surgery. In my head I'm thinking that somewhere in my stuff I read the whole week before, so I am doing it today (except I had a couple pieces of fruit pizza this morning). I sure hope I make it throught these couple weeks on liquids. I'm definitely not used to that! But I am thinking postive and know I can do it. And it will all be worth it in the end. I am looking forward to a new and healthy ME!!

Good luck to all you other bandsters! We can do it!!!

OH man, can I ever relate to almost all the things posted here!

My biggest things are:

I wont miss:

*seat belt extensions on airplanes

*sizing up a chair before I attempt to sit down in it

*back pain when walking too far (like more than a couple hundred steps)

*blood pressure meds

*trying to squeeze into booths at a restaurant.

*being self conscious about how I look to others, especially thin people

*Being the fatest person in the room

*Afraid of falling because I might need help getting up

*tieing shoes without struggling to reach

I could go on and on and on... most of them have been covered already though.

Yeah, my doctor said no pills larger than an m&m. I talked to my regular GP (I take 4 bp pills) and he says of the two that are large, the one is a capsul so I can just empty the capsul into Water and take it that way and the other one I'm supposed to skip right now. And he will check my bp a couple weeks after surgery and see how it is.

Also I think the ban on carbonated beverages is mostly because of the painful gas it can cause. I don't think I will miss it a whole lot but will miss my ocassional gin & tonic! :biggrin:

My Surgery is in 13 days! Can't wait!

Are there any March banders from Southwest Michigan (Dr. Schuhnecht)? Looking for a buddy....

Hi! I'm a March 23 girl too! I'm excited! Keep in touch!

Hey, we'll be banded together! I'm on for March 23rd also! Keep in touch about your progress!

Hey Anyak! You have the same surgery date as me! Keep in touch with your progress!

I can't believe all the March banders!

Mine is scheduled for March 23. Haven't started the liquid stuff yet but will next week I think. I can do it... I can do it... I can do it...

I love March Melters! YAY us!

Just thought of another one. We were in Florida on vacation a few years ago and were at Wet 'n Wild. I wanted to float on The Lazy River in one of those huge tubes. But didn't fit. Gosh that was embarrassing.

Thanks Mandilou and everyone. I feel you pain. Boy do I!! I can relate to most all of them. Haven't had to use a CRAP machine yet though thankfully. Mandilou - I KNOW what you are talking about in #17!! Very embarrassing. And some booths in public restaurants are so small - no room to lean over! Geez

I will add one - I had to have an MRI recently (well a little over a year ago). They measured me to see if I would fit and determined that I would. WEll, I did, but barely. It was a VERY tight squeeze. I know you are not supposed to move during the procedure. I didn't have to worry about that because I COULDN'T move!! One of the most traumatic experiences of my life.

I too have "faked" having the seat belt on. I can't wait till I don't need that darn extension. And I ALWAYS size up a seat before I sit in it. I too have broken things I have leaned on or sat on. Sooo embarrassing...

Thanks for this thread. It helps so much to know I'm not alone. Can't wait for March 23 to come!

After waiting months for this, that and another thing to be done, my surgery is finally scheduled! YAY:thumbup:

I am having it done in three weeks - March 23. I'm excited and yet a little nervous! Any advice and/or suggestions for these last 3 weeks?

congratulations on being approved! I'm just beginning the Quest. Good luck!

Congratulations Judy! My countdown has begun too, but only for my first apt. with the doctor. 9 days! I can't wait to get started! Also waiting for my insurance approval.